You have a long-term medical problem or you are taking prescription medicines.

ACHES, PAINS, AND HEADACHES

Over-the-counter pain medicines can help with headache, arthritis pain, sprains, and other minor joint and muscle problems.

Acetaminophen. Try this medicine first for your pain. Do not take more than 4 grams (4,000 mg) on any one day.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You can buy some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, without a prescription.

Both of these medicines can have serious side effects if you take them in high doses or for a long time. Tell your health care provider if you are taking these medicines many times a week. You may need to be checked for side effects.

FEVER

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help reduce fever in children and adults.

Take acetaminophen every 4 - 6 hours.

Take ibuprofen every 6 - 8 hours. DO NOT use ibuprofen in children younger than 6 months.

Know how much you or your child weighs before giving these medicines.

Aspirin works very well for treating fever in adults. DO NOT give aspirin to a child unless your child's health care provider tells you it is OK.

COLD, SORE THROAT, COUGH

Cold medicines can treat symptoms to make you feel better, but they do not shorten a cold. Taking zinc supplements within 24 hours of the start of a cold may reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold.

NOTE: Talk to your health care provider before giving your child takes any type of over-the-counter cold medicine, even if it is labeled for children.

Talk to your health care provider before giving medicines that cause sleepiness to a child, because they can affect learning. They can also affect alertness in adults.

You can also try:

Eye drops: Soothe or moisten the eyes

Preventive nasal spray: cromolyn sodium (Nasalcrom)

DIARRHEA

Anti-diarrhea medicines such as loperamide (Imodium): These medicines slow down action of intestine and reduce number of bowel movements. Talk to your health care provider before taking them because they can worsen diarrhea caused by infection.

Medicines that contain bismuth: May be taken for mild diarrhea (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol)

Rehydration fluids: May be used for moderate and severe diarrhea (Enfalyte or Pedialyte)

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Liquids and pills for stomach upset: May help with mild nausea and vomiting (Emetrol; Pepto-Bismol)

Rehydration fluids: May be used to replace fluids from vomiting (Enfalyte or Pedialyte)

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